The Fishbowl

At PRISMA, we highly value the exploration of diverse methods and concepts that contribute to both our company's growth and the personal and professional development of each employee. Knowledge sharing is a fundamental aspect of our work culture. Therefore, we aim to offer insights and share relevant and exciting concepts and methods with you.

When has it ever helped a company when employees act like fish? Whenever they have used the Fishbowl method! It can be used to discuss even complex and theoretical topics on which there are many questions or opinions in a short time.  At PRISMA our Agile Coach Christian Wanger introduced us to this method on our company offsite. Let's wrap up, how to Fishbowl. 

Introductions

A small group of people (typically 3-5) sit in the center of a circle and engage in a discussion or debate on a specific topic. The rest of the participants sit around the circle and listen to the conversation. This inner group is referred to as the "fishbowl" group, and they are the only ones allowed to speak during the discussion. However, any participant from the outer group can take the place of someone in the inner group at any time.

This approach encourages active listening and focused attention, fostering a more intentional and inclusive conversation. It also promotes diverse perspectives, as more participants have the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas. Even usually reserved individuals can thrive in this setting. The fishbowl method is particularly useful for discussing complex or controversial topics, as it facilitates a respectful and open exchange of ideas.

What we have learned

We have used this method several times, including during our offsites in September 2023 and April 2024. During our discussions, we gained fascinating insights into the future development of PRISMA.

We delved into essential questions regarding the pace and extent of our company's growth, the prospects for new projects, and the areas where our focus should lie as an organization.

The diverse viewpoints shared during these discussions provided valuable perspectives, offering a comprehensive understanding of the possibilities ahead. We appreciated the richness of ideas that emerged from this approach.